Twin rotor helicopter roundabout



July 21, 1964 Filed Jan. 17. 1957 c. D. NICHOLSON 3,141,668

TWIN ROTOR HELICOPTER ROUNDABOUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTOR. CLYDE D. N/CHOLSON ME Iva-5.11m

July 21', 1964 c. D. NICHOLSON I 'r'wm ROTOR HELICOPTER ROUNDABOUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. -l'?', 1957 FIG. 7

FIG. 4

INVENTOR! CL YDE D. N/CHOLS 0N 2;.J.., PM; A

FIG. 6

Ana,

United States Patent Office Bidifibh Patented July 21, 1964 3,141,668 TWlN RQTGR HELHCGPTER RQUNDABGUT Qlyde D. Nicholson, Bridgeville, Pa. (3360 Forest Road, Bethel Park, Pa.) Filed Jan. 17, I957, Ser. No. 634,670 4 Claims. (Cl. 2723l) This invention relates to a roundabout, and more particularly to a round-about employing a model helicopter having a pair of rotors.

Roundabout type toys generally include the following apparatus. A pedestal or tower, an arm member pivotally secured to the top of the pedestal and extending radially therefrom, a model, which may be an airplane, helicopter or the like, and propulsion means to both rotate the model about the pedestal and also to provide a lifting force for the model so that the model may change its altitude or horizontal position relative to the ground while it rotates about the pedestal.

' Roundabout toys which only change their altitude as they revolve about the pedestal have limited play value and have not proved popular as instructive and entertaining toys. To increase the play value of roundabout toys an additional control called rotational control has been provided. By rotational control I mean the ability to control the speed and direction of rotation of the model about the pedestal while the model remains in various elevated positions relative to the ground.

Several methods have been suggested to provide rotational control to roundabout toys. These methods re quire added structure and increase considerably the cost of manufacture. In addition, with the known methods of providing rotational control it is difiicult to obtain minute or fine adjustments required for maximum play value. For example, one method of providing rotational control to a toy helicopter type roundabout is to rigidly secure the model to the end of the arm member and provide a mechanical means for rotating the arm about its longitudinal axis. With this arrangement, the rotation of the arm changes the angle of attack of the helicopter rotor and provides limited rotational control. The above method in addition to being expensive to manufacture, only provides limited rotational control and not the fine degree of rotational control desired for maximum play value. The limitation in rotational control is due to the mechanical means employed to change the angle of attack of the rotor. Since the model is rigidly secured to the arm member, the change in the rotor attack angle is equal to the degree of rotation of the arm member about its longitudinal axis. To provide fine adjustment, or minute changes in the attack angle of the rotors, a corresponding minute degree of rotation of the arm members about its longitudinal axis is required. Due to the mechanical connection between the operator actuated control means, the arm member and the model, even a slight movement of the operator actuated control means exceeds the desired fine adjustment or change in the attack angle of the rotors, thus, as stated, not providing the maximum play value possible with rotational control.

Another disadvantage of the mechanical method of providing rotational control is the fixed position of the operator relative to the roundabout. The operators position, of necessity, is fixed by the length of the mechanical linkage between the pedestal and the operator actuated control means.

I solve the above enumerated problems and obtain maximum play value from a roundabout type toy having directional control by connecting the model to the end of the arm with a universal type of connector. This type of connector enables the model to rotate and change position relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm member. One advantage of this arrangement is the ability of the to provide directional control to the model.

Another object of my invention is to provide a roundabout toy having two rotors adapted to rotate at different speeds.

Another object of my invention is to provide a roundabout toy wherein the model is connected to the arm by means of a universal connection.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following drawings, specification and claims.

In the drawings: A FIGURES l and 2 taken together illustrate my invention. They are perspective views with parts broken away to illustrate the details of the universal connection between the model and the arm member.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view in plan and in section further illustrating the connecting of the arm member to the model.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation and in section illustrating the connection of the arm member to the pedestal.

FIGURE 5 is a view in elevation and in section of the counterweight secured to the free end of the arm member. FIGURE 6 -is a perspective view of the control box.

FIGURE 7 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical controls for the roundabout.

FIGURE 8 is similar to FIGURE 7 and illustrates another embodiment of the electrical control system.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGURES 1 and 2 there is shown a roundabout toy having a pedestal 10 with an arm member 12 swivelly secured thereto by means of a connector generally designated 13. The arm member 12 extends radially from the pedestal Ill and is freely rotatable relative thereto. The arm member 12 has its free end portion 14 connected to a model helicopter 16 by means of a universal type connector generally designated 18. The model helicopter 16 has a pair of rotors 2d and 22 secured to shafts of electric motors 24 and 26 which are housed within the fuselage of the helicopter 15. A source of electric current, herein illustrated as a battery 28, is conveniently housed in the pedestal l0 and is connected by an electric circuit, later described, to the motors 24 and 26 to supply current thereto for the rotation of rotors 2t) and 22. A control box 30 is included in the electric circuit and provides a means for controlling the speed of the motors 24 and 26, which in turn controls the speed of the rotors 29 and 22.

The rotors 2d and 22by their relative speeds of rotation provide the lifting force and rotational control necessary for proper manipulation of the helicopter 16 as it revolves about the pedestal 10.

To minimize the lifting force required by the rotors 2t and 22 to elevate the model 16, a counterbalance arrangement is provided for the arm 12. A cylindrical weight 32 having a longitudinal bore 34 therethrough is provided for the arm 12 and may be moved radially toward and away from the pedestal 10 which serves as the fulcrum. Where minimum lifting force for operation is desired, the counterweight 32 is moved away from the pedestal until the moments of force on either side of the arm are approximately equal. The weight 32 is moved toward the pedestal 10 when a larger lifting force is desired.

It has also been discovered that better performance of the model may be obtained when the center of gravity of the counterweight 32, the fulcrum point on the tower 1t) and the point of support 88 (FIG. 3) of the helicopter 16 are in the same plane. Where the dimension of the arm 12 between the pedestal 10 and helicopter model 16 exceeds a given dimension, the arm 12 has a tendency to sag or bend under the weight of the model, thus moving the point of support of the model 16 below the plane above mentioned. Also, any adjustment of the weight 32 will change the planar arrangement of the three members. To compensate for the above, and permit accurate adjustment the bore 34 is offset from the longitudinal axial center of the weight 32 (FIG. and a transverse bore 36 is provided for a set screw to rigidly maintain the position of the weight 32 on the arm 12. The weight 32 may be rotated on the arm 12 to align the three points above discussed in the same plane.

The swivel connection 13 for the arm 12 and pedestal is shown in detail in FIGURE 4. The pedestal 19 has a top wall 38 with an aperture 40 therethrough. A tubular bearing member 42 is positioned in the aperture 40 and has an outwardly flanged portion 44 which rests on the pedestal top wall '38. A tube 46 is rotatably positioned in the bearing 42 and has a flanged upper portion 48 which rests on the upper edge of the bearing 40. A pair of parallel members 50 and 52 extend upwardly from the tube flanged portion 48 and are adapted to receive the arm member 12 therebetween. The parallel side members 50 and 52 and the arm 12 have aligned apertures therethrough. A pin member 54 extends through these aligned apertures and swivelly secures the arm 12 to the tower or pedestal 1t and enables the arm 12 to rotate relative to the tower 10.

The swivel connection 13 above described also enables current conducting members to transmit current from the stationary battery 28 positioned in the base of the pedestal It to the electric motors 24 and 26 while the motors 24 and 26 within the helicopter 16 rotate about the pedestal 10. As shown in FIGURE 4 three conduits 56, 58 and 60 are attached to spring type contactors 62, 64 and 66 which are rigidly supported from the pedestal 16 by means of the bar 68 in abutting relation with three ring type contactors 76, 72 and 74. The ring contactors 7t), 72 and 74 are secured to the tube 46 and in turn have conduits '76, 78 and 86 leading therefrom. Conduits 76 and 78 extend through the tubular arm 12 (FIG. 1) and are connected to the respective motors 24 and 26 (FIG. 2). Conduit 86 is connected to the metallic arm 13 which serves as the third conduit.

The universal connection of the arm 12 to the model 16 is shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The fuselage of model 16 has an opening in the side wall 82 for the arm member 12 and a block like member 841 secured to the inner surface of the other side wall 86. The block 84 has a threaded aperture 88 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the helicopter 16. A bolt 90 is threadably secured in the aperture 88 and has a sleeve member 92 positioned thereon and rotatable relative to the bolt 90. The sleeve 92 has a pair of aligned pins 94 and 96 extending radially therefrom and adapted to receive the arm member 12. The arm member free end 14 has a pair of ear portions 9L8 and 1110 with aligned apertures therethrough. The pin members 94 and 96 extend through the apertures in the arm ear portions 98 and 160 to rotatably secure the arm member 12 to the model 16.

With the above described connection, the sleeve 92 and bolt 911 permit the model 16 to rotate its longitudinal axis, termed pitch, relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm 12. The pins 94 and 96 permit the model 16 to change its lateral axis, termed yaw, relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm 12.

The ability to change pitch of the model 16 enables the model to change the angle of attack of the rotors and 22 to provide rotational control. The ability to change the lateral axis enables the model to elevate through a greater are in reference to the vertical and provides greater flexibility in operation.

As previously stated, the angle of attack of the rotors is directly related to the relative speeds of the motors 24 and 26 to each other. When the rotors are both at the same speed the model rises vertically without any rotation around the pedestal 16. When the speed of rotor 22 exceeds that of rotor 26, the model both rises and advances in a forward direction around the tower 1t FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate diagrammatically the circuit arrangement to change the relative speeds of the motor. Referring to FIGURE 7, a battery 102 has a conduit 1114 connecting the positive terminal with a variable resistor 166. A conduit 1% connects the variable resistor 1116 with the arm of a potentiometer 112. Conduits 76 and 78 connect the opposite sides of the potentiometer 112 to the motors 24 and 26. Conduit 86 serves to connect both motors 24 and 26 to the negative terminal of the battery 102. A switch 114 is positioned in conduit 86 and controls energization of the circuit. With this circuit arrangement vertical control of the model 16 is governed by the variable resistor 166. As the resistance is cut out the speed of both motors 24 and 26 increase to add lifting force to the rotors 2t) and 22 to permit vertical lift of the helicopter. The rotational control of the model 16 is governed by the potentiometer 112. As the arm 110 inserts more resistance in conduit 76 and less resistance in conduit 78, the speed of motor 26 will increase and the speed of motor 24 will decrease, thus causing the angle of attack of the rotors 2i) and 22 to change, and the rotation of the model 16 about the pedestal 10.

FIGURE 6 illustrates the control box 31) with the variable resistor 1116, the potentiometer 112 and switch 114.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a second embodiment of my control system. With this embodiment two variable resistors 15% and 152 are connected in series with motors 24 and 26 and the relative speeds of the motors are individually regulated to provide controls of motors 24 and 26 similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 7.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle, preferred construction, and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. In a toy roundabout the combination comprising a pedestal, an arm member rotatably connected intermediate its end portions to the top of said pedestal, a counterweight positioned on said arm member adjacent one end portion, said counterweight being movable radially on said arm member toward and away from said pedestal, a model helicopter adjacent the other end portion of said arm member having a cylindrical connector member extending transversely therefrom, a sleeve member rotatably positioned on said connector member and having a pair of pin members extending radially therefrom, said other end of said arm member having a pair of ear portions with aligned apertures therethrough, said pin members extending through said arm member apertures thereby securing said model to said other arm member end portion so that both the longitudinal and radial axes of said model are movable relative to said arm member, said model having a pair of spaced rotor members positioned thereabove and rotatably secured thereto on opposite sides of said connector member, means to rotate said rotors to provide a lifting force for said model and means to regulate the lifting force of said rotors relative to each other to rotate the longitudinal axis of said model relative to said arm member and thereby rotate said model about said pedestal.

2. In a toy roundabout the combination comprising a pedestal having a top wall with an aperture therethrough, a tubular connector member extending through said aperture and having a pair of parallel ear portions extending above said pedestal top Wall, said connector member being freely rotatable in said top wall aperture, an arm m mber extending radially from said pedestal and having a portion intermediate its end portions positioned between said connector member ear portions, a pin member pivotally securing said arm member to said connector member ear portions, a model helicopter having a cylindrical connector member extending transversely therefrom intermediate said model end portions, a sleeve member rotatably positioned on said last named connector member and having a pair of pin members extending radially therefrom in the same plane, one of said arm member radial end portions having a pair of parallel ear portions with aligned apertures therethrough, said last named pin members extending through said arm member apertures thereby securing said model to said arm member radial end portion so that both the longitudinal and lateral axes of said model are movable relative to said arm member, said model having a pair of spaced rotor members positioned thereabove and rotatably secured thereto on opposite sides of said connector member, means to rotate said rotors to provide a lifting force for said model and means to regulate the lifting force of said rotors relative to each other to rotate the longitudinal axis of said model relative to the longitudinal axis of said arm member and thereby rotate said model about said pedestal.

3. in a toy roundabout the combination comprising a pedestal having a top wall with an aperture therethrough, a tubular connector member extending through said aperture and having a pair of parallel ear portions extending above said pedestal top wall, said connector member being freely rotatable in said top wall aperture, an arm member extending radially from said pedestal and having a portion intermediate its end portions positioned between said connector member ear portions, a pin member pivotally securing said arm member to said connector member ear portions, a model helicopter having a cylindrical connector member extending transversely therefrom intermediate said model end portions, a sleeve member rotatably positioned on said last named connector member and having a pair of pin members extending radially therefrom in the same plane, said arm member radial end portion having a pair of parallel ear portions with aligned apertures therethrough, said last named pin members extending through said arm member apertures thereby securing said model to said arm member radial end portion so that both the longitudinal and lateral axes of said model are movable relative to said arm member, said model having a pair of electric motors positioned therein on opposite sides of said connection to said arm member, said motors having their rotatable shafts extending upwardly through the top portion of said model, rotor members secured to said shafts and operable to rotate therewith, an electric circuit for said motors comprising a source of electric current, a variable resistance, a potentiometer and electric conductor means, said circuit being arranged so that said variable resistance controls the speed of both of said motors and said potentiometer controls the speed of said motors relative to each other and thereby provides by means of said rotors both a lifting force and a directional force for said model.

4. In a toy roundabout the combination comprising a pedestal having a top wall with an aperture therethrough, a tubular connector member extending through said aperture and having a pair of parallel ear portions extending above said pedestal top wall, said connector member being freely rotatable in said top wall aperture, an arm member extending radially from said pedestal and having a portion intermediate its end portions positioned between said connector member ear portions, a pin member pivotally securing said arm member to said connector member ear portions, a model helicopter having a cylindrical con nector member extending transversely therefrom intermediate said model end portions, a sleeve member rotatably positioned on said last named connector member and having a pair of pin members extending radially therefrom in the same plane, said arm member radial end portion having a pair of parallel ear portions with aligned apertures therethrough, said last named pin members extending through said arm member apertures thereby securing said model to said arm member radial end portion so that both the longitudinal and lateral axes of said model are movable relative to said arm member, said model having a pair of electric motors positioned therein on opposite sides of said connection to said arm member, said motors having their rotatable shafts extending upwardly through the top portion of said model, rotor members secured to said shafts and operable to rotate therewith, an electric circuit for said motors comprising a source of electric current, a pair of variable resistances arranged in series with said motors to regulate their speed relative to each other and thereby provide by means of said rotors both a lifting force and a directional force for said model.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,793,368 Johnson Feb. 17, 1931 2,432,119 Nash et a1. Dec. 9, 1947 2,529,033 Linville Nov. 7, 1950 2,663,371 Magill Dec. 22, 1953 2,676,014 Smith Apr. 20, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 617,922 Great Britain Feb. 14, 1949 

1. IN A TOY ROUNDABOUT THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PEDESTAL, AN ARM MEMBER ROTATABLY CONNECTED INTERMEDIATE ITS END PORTIONS TO THE TOP OF SAID PEDESTAL, A COUNTERWEIGHT POSITIONED ON SAID ARM MEMBER ADJACENT ONE END PORTION, SAID COUNTERWEIGHT BEING MOVABLE RADIALLY ON SAID ARM MEMBER TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID PEDESTAL, A MODEL HELICOPTER ADJACENT THE OTHER END PORTION OF SAID ARM MEMBER HAVING A CYLINDRICAL CONNECTOR MEMBER EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THEREFROM, A SLEEVE MEMBER ROTATABLY POSITIONED ON SAID CONNECTOR MEMBER AND HAVING A PAIR OF PIN MEMBERS EXTENDING RADIALLY THEREFROM, SAID OTHER END OF SAID ARM MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF EAR PORTIONS WITH ALIGNED APERTURES THERETHROUGH, SAID PIN MEMBERS 